Partition for the head end of a bed



June 5, 1951 W- ST. PIERRE PARTITION FOR THE HEAD END OF BEDS Filed June 17, 1946 Patented June 5, 1951 UNITED SITEiii FATENT ()FFICE PARTITION FOR THE HEAD END OF A BED Wilfrid St. Pierre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Application June 17, 1946, Serial No. 677,310

1 Claim. 1

The present invention pertains to a novel partition for the head portion of a bed. The objects of the invention will appear as the purposes thereof are recited.

The occupants of a double bed are frequently unable to face each other because of their aver sion to inhaling each others breath, especially if the breath of one of the occupants is odorous. As a result, both occupants must lie on the same side at the same time, and the position of either occupant is determined by the position of the other rather than voluntarily. Consequently, many persons who would otherwise occupy a double bed have resorted to twin beds or even separate bed rooms. Either expedient, of course, involves considerable additional sleeping space and expense.

The principal object of this invention is to eliminate the aforementioned limitations to the use of a double bed, whereby the double bed may be occupied by two persons without suffering the aforementioned diiliculties. The invention comprises a screen inserted between the pillows of the bed, and such a screen is sufficient to shield each occupant from the breath of the other. Various alternative means may be provided for supporting the screen to stand vertically between the pillows and lengthwise and substantially centrally of the bed.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a base in the form of a ring, and on this ring is erected a frame in the form of a loop attached to the ring at diametrically opposite points. Suitable screening material, such as cotton sheeting or other fabric, is supported on the loop frame and may be ornamented if desired in any appropriate manner.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating the the use of the device;

Figure 2 is a vertical elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an edge View of the device; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the device.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

The bed on which thedevice is to be used is indicated in general by the numeral I in Figure 1. It will be understood that the invention contemplates the support of a screen on the bed in any suitable or desired manner, although the preferred construction is illustrated herein. According to this form of the invention, the base of the screen frame is a circular ring 2 of metal, plastic or other suitable material. The frame is completed by means of a loop 3 of similar material lying at a right angle to the plane of the base and bisecting the base. In other words,

the loop has its ends at diametrically opposite points on the circular base 2.

A sheet i of screening material such as cotton sheeting or other fabric is supported by the loop 3. For example, the sheet 4 may be in two plies enveloping the loop 3, as illustrated in Figure 3. Also, the outer edge of the screen sheeting may be ornamented in any suitable manner as by teams of a frill 5 to impart to the device an appropriate and finished appearance.

In the use of the device, the base 2 is laid upon the bed beneath the pillows 6 and is so positioned that the loop 3 extends upwardly between the pillows and lies longitudinally of the bed. In this connection, it will be realized that the base 2 represents only one means of support, and alternative supporting means may be provided to position the screening material in the location described.

Frequently the occupants of a double bed are unwilling to face each other because of the distastefulness of inhaling each others breath. Consequently, both occupants must face the same direction at the same time, and the position of each occupant is determined by the position of the other, rather than voluntarily. These limitations on the use of a double bed by two occupants frequently result in the use of twin beds or even separate bedrooms. It is evident that the device of the invention provides a much simpler and less expensive solution of the probler Also, the device may be removed and set aside when not in use in order not to impair the made-up appearance of the bed.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claim.

What I claim as my invention is:

A partitioning device for the head of a bed comprising a ring-like base member, a loop rigidly erected on said ring in a plane perpendicular thereto and substantially bisecting the same, and fibrous screening material enclosed in and secured to said loop.

WILFRID ST. PIERRE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,432,383 Comings Oct. 17, 1922 1,875,522 Sweet Sept. 6, 1932 1,979,520 Abrams Nov. 6, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 16,642 Great Britain 1897 

